In Hawaii, Nanny State Goes After Boaters

KANE’OHE — The state will launch an unprecedented pilot project on Kane’ohe Bay this holiday weekend to crack down on rowdy behavior, drunken driving of watercraft and other problems that threaten public safety and led to a brawl at a popular sandbar last year.

The effort will be anchored by approximately two dozen officers and staff members with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources along with a Coast Guard cutter and two smaller boats.

DLNR will help with launching, boater education and checking equipment but will also cite violators and arrest people if necessary, said Ed Underwood, administrator for the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

“The intent is not to ruin anybody’s weekend,” Underwood said. “It’s because of the spike in boating activities on the three-day weekend. That’s when we start having a lot of problems. A lot of it is tied to drinking.”